The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-01-12
OUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.

and this assumption is based on
what must be universally known to
the members elect, that the Depart
ment has fallen, sc, far below the just
requirements of public expectation
that there is a strong sentiment
among the people in all sections OF
the State to have it abolished alto
gether. Indeed $50 strong is that
feeling that we should tremble to
see the question Submitted to the
vote of the tax payers of the State.
But destruction is\nOt reformation.
North Carolina cannot afford to be
without a Department Of Agricul-
ture. In the great race Of progress,
it is absolutely indispensable. But
it must be properly conducted in all
its departments. 1t must be wide
awake, practical, progressive, ag-
gressive. Without this, it amounts
to nothing more than failure
1t is needless to recount the short
comings Of the Department or to
indulge in regrets. These are eel
and felt Of all men and they r the
outgrowth Of one great mistake that
was made originally in the organlza-
ton of the Board. 1t was deemed
indispensable to it's success and
usefulness that its management
should be as far removed as practic-
able from political or partisan infu-
cnces. Accordingly it was organized
by placing on the Board the Cover
nor, the State Chemist, the Master
of the State Grange, the President
of our so-called Agricultural College,
and the President of our State Agri-
cultural Society, who were given
power to elect, in addition, two prac-
tical agriculturists. But 1t was q
mistake. No one should haze been
admitted to membership on the Board,
mho mas not a practical agricuHm1st
or directly and practically Ment-
fed uih Of the Ieading indus
tries of our State. And further, every
section of our State should hare had
an equal representation on that Board.
The writer, who took an active
and prominent part in the establish
ment Of the Department., after an
experience of about three and a half
years, as Commissioner, became
thoroughly convinced of these fatal
defects in the organization and
avOwed his convictions in a public
letter on his retirement from the
position in 1880. In 1883, the organ
izatiOn was, in a measure, remodeled
by the Legislature, but it. retained
these seriously Objectionable fea-
lures. Now let it again be changed.
Let the Board consist of nine
members-one from each Congress
sional District-each Of whom shall
be practically interested in agricul-
ture or some other prominent indus
try, the Governor to be er-obfcio
chairman Of the Board. Let these
members be chosen by the legisla-
ture-one-third of the number to be
chosen every two years.
Let the law require positively and
unequivocalIy that no one shall hold
the office of Commissioner who is not
d practical farmer.
Let the Commissioner be appoint
ed for a term Of four years, either
by the Legislature or by a joint
meeting of the farmers in Annual
Convention.
Let there be an annual conven-
ton of the farmers of the State,
held in the city of Raleigh on the
first Tuesday in December, where,
shall be present the members of the
Board and other officers of the De
partment. Let full reports of the
officers be laid before the Convention
and with other matters be Fdis-
cussed. After a full and free inter-
change Of thoughts and the pfesen-
tation of various subjects byl these
representative farmers fresh from
the people Of all counties |of the
State, let the board go into e s
sion and mark out the work for the
ensuing year. Require each officer
through the Commissioner, to pub
lish reports of his work regularly.
Require the Commissioner, whenever
it is practicable, to attend the Agri-
cultural Fairs and Farmers Insti-
tutes. Let the Board establish Farm
ers Institutes wherever practicable
and encourage the establishment of
county fairs. Require the Commits
sioner to visit Agricultural and Me-
chanical Fairs, Expositions in other
States, that he may better inform
our farmers Of Improvements that
are being developed. These are the
chances that in ,,, ,,Ir,,npf